Grading machine



Oct. 8, 1929.

w. E. ANDERSON 1,730,343

GRADING MACHINE Filed March '7, 1928 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 t XL 4 4 I L 7 rwdntol Chrome fi ara Z: [Mayan Oct. 8, 1929. w; E. ANDERSON GRADING MACHINE Filed March 7. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmm $75420 inarjon Oct. 8, 1929. w. E. ANDERSON GRADING MACHINE Filed March 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet Gnome WILFORD E. ANDERSON, OF LA GRANDE, OREGON GRADING MACHINE Application filed March 7, 1928. Serial in. 259,834.

This application is filed in lieu of my abandoned application filed October 20, 1925,

Serial No. 63,613.

This invention relates to grading machines 5 and has as one of its ob ects to provlde a grading machine that will carry a load off of the ground instead of dragging it.

Another object of the invention 1s to provide a grading machine mounted on wheels and arranging the position of within the path'of the scraper.

the wheels A further object of the invention is to provide a grading machine which by the use of a pair of levers may be operated by asingle operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grading machine having levers that is adaptable to grading, scraping, ing dirt, and to level down move and carryd dirt.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grading machine having a draft means pivotally connected to a frame with a caster wheel, whereby a free lateral movement of the frame is provided for should tion be encountered.

an obstruc- A further object of the invention is to provide a grading machine having a frame arranged to act as a guard for the machine.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a grading :machine havin g a slmple means for limiting the depth of out.

With these and other objects in View reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan View of the grading machine dirt; I

Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig 4 but with the scraper lowered to smooth out the leveled dirt;

Fig. 6 is a side ing one position of the operating latch;

Fig. Tis a similar view to Fig. 6 showing elevation of the arch showi the operating latch in another position; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8+8 of Fig. 5 showing a front view ofthe gauge.

Having reference to the drawings like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and the numeral 1 refers to'a The frame is positioned to enclose the machine and by this arrangement forms a guard therefor, the converging portion acting to move the machine by a glancing movement harmlessly away from interfering objects with a free lateral movement, when theside pieces 5 will direct the machine past such objects.

The frame 2 is provided with a front cross piece 6 to stren then the'frame and to support other members to be mentioned, and is preferably positioned at the point of tangent 7 with the curved part 4 for the purpose, and a rear cross piece 8 is similarly positioned at the open end of the frame for a similar purpose.

The frame is supported by wheels having broad faces, these however, being positioned within the frame to be protected by the guarding frame.

The wheels are preferably three innumber, with two of the wheels 9 positioned at the rear of the machine where they are fixed to a common axle 10 that in turn is j ournaledin boxes 11 rigidly securedto the frame 2 in any suitable manner, while the third wheel 12 is of the caster type and is utilized as a pilot wheel to facilitate the turning of the machine, and is pivotally mounted within the converged portion of the frame to carry the load of the front end of the machine.

The pilot wheel 12 is mounted in a yoke 13 that is pivotally secured in a head 14 by a pin 15 that passes through the head and the socket 16 of the yoke, and the pin 15 also pivotally mounts a clevis 17 by which the machine is drawn during operation.

The head 14 is positioned on the inside of the frame 2, and with the pivotally connected clevis and pilot wheel positioned therein, affords an extremely flexible connection between the draft means and the machine that provides for the free lateral movement above mentioned.

Positioned within the frame and extending from side to side is the scraper 3 comprising a blade 18, a curved back 19, and end pieces 20 closing the ends of the scraper.

The blade may obviously be constructed of a separate piece, as shown in Fig. l, for renewal purposes, or may be a continuous piece that pro ects rearward to form the floor 21 of the scraper, and by continuing in a circle for a back 19, the back in turn terminating in a coverplate 22 that extends over the top of the scraper.

The back is curved to obtain the strength of a curved figure, and the cover plate is arranged to prevent the load from being scattered over the rear of the scraper when fully loaded and during transportation.

A clip 23 is rigidly attached to the curved back 19 for a purpose to be explained, and trunni0ns'24 are rigidly secured to the ends 20 wherewith to rotatably and adj ustably support the scraper in hangers 25, the latter being positioned within and adjacent to the frame 2 for the purpose.

The trunnions 24 are positioned onthe ends slightly above and forward of the center of gravity of the loaded scraper, in the usual manner, and the hangers 25 are pivotally supported at their front ends, as at 26, from the front cross piece 6 by means of a stirrup 27, the stirrup being suitably braced to the frame by the brace members 28, and the hangers are supported at their rear ends from the rear cross piece 8 by means of an operating I lever mounted thereon which will be present- The operating lever 34 above mentioned,- consists of a bar 35, bent as shown in Fig. 1 to avoid a seat 36 attached to the rear cross piece 8 by a yielding member 37, and has a convenient handle 38 formed at its upper end, and its lower end is rigidly attached to a shaft 39 that is suitably journaled in bearing pieces 40 secured to the cross piece 8, and the shaft extends laterally of the machine with the respective ends thereof provided with extended arms 41.

The arms 41 are movable with the lever 34 and in a plane adjacent to the frame 2, and are pivotally attached to the rear ends of the hangers 25 to raise and lower those members as the operating lever is moved forward and backward.

The operating lever 34 is mounted within and is provided with a ratchet quadrant 42, consisting of two quadrants placed side by side and on each side of the lever 34. i

The quadrants have their notches 43 reversed to engage the pawl 44 on the forward movement of the lever, for a purpose to be explained, and on account of the reversal of the notches will be termed reverse quadrants.

A rod 45 extends throughout the length of the operating lever to engage and operate the pawl. by hand and is provided at its upper I end with a lever handle 46 pivotally attached to the operating lever for the purpose. The pawl is pivoted to the operating lever 34 and has an extended piece 47 projecting forward of the lever to form a foot operating I Y means tb erefoi'. j

The operating lever 34,- is also provided with a foot operated back pedal 48 that is positionedon the lever to be within reach of the operators foot when the lever is in its extreme forward position, and the weight of the scraper on the lever is counterbalanced by springs 49 attached to the extended arms 41, and to the frame 2 as shown.

Mounted on the frame with one end rigidly secured to the front cross piece, and with its other rigidly secured to the rear cross piece is an arch 50 consisting of a pair of angle irons 51 placed back to back, with a space left between for a purpose to be explained, the angle irons being bent in a generally circular form, with the curvature being struck from a center practically corresponding to the center of the trunnions when the scraper is in the raised positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The arch 50 has its rearward end 52 extended downward to receive a stop that is rigidly attached thereto, and which consists of an arm 53 carrying a. roller 54, and positioned so that theclip 23 on the back of the scraper will be intercepted and prevented from passing below the stop.

Cooperable with the stop, to form a stopping means, and with which to control the uppivoted in the space left between the angle irons, having a foot pedal 56 at its upper end and an extended piece 57 carrying a roller 58, the latter being positioned above the stop in a manner to provide a space between the rollers for the said clip. By this means and with the clip positioned between the rollers of the stop, the rear of the scraper will be maintained in a fixed position that will not interfere with the adjustment of the blade 18 v or the front of the scraper.

Above the scraper and pivotally mounted between the angle irons of the arch is a second control means comprising a latch 59 consisting of a free member 60 and a controlled member 61.

The free member is pivoted, as at 62, and is provided with an approach 63 that will engage the clip 23 as the scraper is rotated, the free member being arranged to raise out of the way as the clip moves along the approach, finally to drop behind the clip to prevent its voluntary return. i

The controlled member is likewise pivoted in the arch on the pivot 62 and is preferably triangular in shape to provide for the pivotal point 62 at one point of the triangle, a stop 64 at one side of the triangle, and a pivotal point 65 at a second point of the triangle for an operating rod 66, the latter connecting the controlled member with the lever'55 for foot operation.

By this arrangement the free member may be raised automatically by the clip, or may be raised by the foot lever as the controlled member is raised, hence the latch and lever will operate in conjunction with each other, and will be under the control of the operators foot.

A second stop 67 is rigidly attached to the arch 50 and is positioned ahead of the latch and in the path of continued rotation of the scraper and thus controls the movement of the scraper in its rotation forward.

The first mentioned stop, the latch, and the last mentioned stopping means thus controls the rotation of the scraper.

To limit the depth of cut of the scraper a gauge 68 is provided that consists of an L shaped piece having a foot portion 69 projecting perpendicular to the upright 7 0, the foot portion being arranged to intercept the hangers 25 in their downward movement while the upright is arranged with adjusting holes to be adjustably secured to the frame 2.

In use a team of horses, or other I draft means, is connected to the machine by means of the clevis 17. The operator now mounts the seat 36 and drives the machine tothe work to be done.

Upon reaching the work the operating lever 34 is moved forward which action throws the blade of the scraper in a cutting position with its edge engaging the soil when the draft will cause the blade to enter the soil and fill the scraper.

"With the scraper in the cutting position and the draft applied, the draft will tend to draw the scraper into the ground to a-depth permitted by the lever34l or the gauge 68, and in doingso will tend'to pull the operating lever forward were it not for the reversed quadrant that-holds thelever wherever set and against the downward pull of the scraper.

With the scraper now filled it is raisedout of the soil and to a carrying position,

shown in Fig. 3, by the backpedal 48 orthe i lever 84, the back pedal being operated by the foot of the operator to bring the lever in reach, when it is further withdrawn by hand, and finally brought to theextreme position shown inthat figure, by the foot and back pedal.

With the scraper full, three operations may take place, namely: I

1st, the load may be carried to a destination' 2n d, the load maybe dumped completely;

3rd, the load may be dumped and levelled. In the first instance the-wheeled supporting means will provide for a minimum of effort in moving the load; p

In the second instance the scraper-will be lowered to rest on the ground asfor the orig inal act of loading when the friction of the soil against the blade of the scraper will tend to rotate the scraper on its trunnions. 1 At this time the operator will press forward on the foot lever 55 and release' the clip of, the scraper which will now rotate,,and will continue the pressure thereon until the rotation 1 brings the clip pastthe latchywhich isnow lifted, and against the forward stop, which act will also raise the body of the scraper on its blade, with the hangers, and also return the operating lever 34, and finally with the 1 scraper raised by help of the deposited dirt, assisted by the counter balancing springon the now empty scraper, the scraper maybe secured as shown in Fig. l or released as above explained. I

Assuming-that the scraper isnow in the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4, any residue of the load will fall by gravity to the ground. Y i

In the third instance the foot pedal'56 is released as soon as the clip has left the first stop, and the clip continuing will automatically raise the free member as in the act of dumping and rest against the controlled member, when the scraper will assume the position shown by the solid lines in Fig. l.

With the scraper in this position the dirt will fall therefrom and as the'blade moves over the pile of dirt will level the load.

Obviously there are many variations to the above operations,'each position of the operating lever in the reversed quadrant bringing about a slightly different movement in the above operations.

It is' now obvious that one man can operate the scraper through allits various positions, and that the work will be facilitated as it is always in sight of the operator.

l'Vher'e levelling alone is being conducted the blade is lowered to the proper depth and the high parts are removed. And where obstructions occur, as when working in an orchard where trees may be encountered, the flexiblity of the front end will protect both the trees and the machine by its free lateral and glancing movement.

In this flexibility the, grader is permitted to move with great freedom without effecting or being effected by the draft means, and hence aglancing blow of the grader against a tree will not be of sufficient severity to injure the bark thereof.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim j 1. In a grading machine, a vehicle frame provided with a front cross piece and a rear cross piece, and having its forward end converged to form a guard and arranged to provide for a free lateral movement of the machine, supporting wheels mounted within and attached to the rear of said frame and including a pilot wheeLpivotally mounted within rear cross piece to raise and lower said scraper, a depending portion rigidly secured to said cross piece and carrying a stop and a pivotally mounted lever, said lever being provided with anextension cooperable with said stop to secure the rear end of said scraper in a fixed position without effecting the adjustment of the front thereof, said lever being arranged to operate in conjunction with the operating lever to control the rotation of the scraper and to maintain the scraper rigidly in any one of various positions, and means to limit the depth of cut of said scraper.

2. In a grading machine, a" vehicle frame provided with a front cross piece and a rear cross piece, said frame forming a guard for said machine and arranged to provide for a free lateral movement of the front end of said a curved back and closed ends, an operating lever operably mounted on said rear cross piece and provided with extending arms arranged to raise and lower said scraper, an arch rigidly secured to said frame and provided with a depending piece carrying a stop,

a pivotally mounted lever having an extension cooperable with said stop, to secure the rear of said scraper in a fixed position without effecting the adjustment of the blade thereof, a latch mounted in said arch and operable by means of said last mentioned lever to control the rotation of said scraper, and a gauge adjustably attached to said frame to limit the depth of cut of said scraper.

3. In a grading machine, a frame provided with a front cross piece and a rear cross piece, and having its forward end converged to forma guard, supporting wheels mounted within and at the rear of said frame and including a pilot wheel mounted within the converged portion of said frame, a 'clevis pivotally attached to said pilot wheel to provide with said pilot wheel for a free lateral movement for the front end of said frame, a scraper rotatably and adjustably supported by hangers, said hangers being pivotally attached to said front cross piece, an operating lever operably mounted on'said rear cross piece and provided with extended arms at-' tached to said hangers to raise and lower said scraper, an arch rigidly secured to said frame and provided with a depending piece carrying a stop and a pivotally mounted lever, said having an extension cooperable with said stop to secure the rear of said scraper against rotation, a latch consisting of a free member and acontrolled member mounted in said arch, said controlled member forming a stop in the path or rotation of the scraper, a second stop rigidly attached to said arch in said path, and a gauge adjustably attached to said frame to limit the depth of cut of said scraper.

4. In a grading machine, a frame provided with a front cross piece and a rear cross piece, and having its forward end converged to form a guard, supporting wheels mounted within and at the rear of said frame and including a pilot wheel pivotally attached withthe converged portion of said frame,a clevis pivotally attached to said pilot wheel to provide with said pilot wheel a free lateral movement of the front end of said frame, a

scraper rotatably and adjustably supported by hangers, said hangers being positioned adjacent to said frame and pivotally supported from the front cross piece, an operating lever operably mounted on said rear cross piece and provided with extended arms pivotally attaohed to said hangers to raise and lower said scraper, said lever being mounted Within and provided with a reversed ratchet quadrant, and a combined foot and hand operated pawl, a foot operated back pedal attached to said lever, means to control the rotation of said scraper and to maintain the scraper in any one of various positions, and a gauge adjustably attached to said frame to limit the depth of cut of said scraper. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILFORD E. ANDERSON. 

